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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Hey everyone! Today I have a fun nail art post with some Born Pretty goodies! This is the first of three posts featuring different nail art embellishments that I was sent to review for you guys. First up are some 3D floral stickers!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

The package contains one sheet of 30 floral stickers in three sizes. Directions for use are printed on the back. Since the flowers look so delicate, I decided to go with something fun and girlie.

The floral stickers were very easy to apply. After I painted my nails, I simply peeled off a sticker from the sheet using tweezers and placed it on my nail. I used my current go-to top coat, KB Shimmer COT to seal the stickers. They also come off easily with nail polish remover too.

The stickers are fun and super easy to use. There are five different designs to choose from: bows, flowers, and assorted filigree. It is a simple way to embellish your nails without a lot of hassle. And you can get as creative as you want with them!

I have a 10% discount code to go along with all the Born Pretty stuff I will be reviewing over the next couple of weeks. So when you see something you like, be sure to use the code GETG10 at checkout!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Born Pretty 3D floral stickers and other nail art related products are available on line. 3D stickers retail for $2.19 a sheet. Prices vary by item.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Hey everyone! So this is normally where you would be reading all about my awesome new Twinsie Tuesday post and then you would get to look at really cool pictures of my nifty design. But no. Not today. I have zero inspiration and horribly failed at a mediocre design. I have been in a hormonal induced slump since Sunday, and it's totally my fault for procrastinating. But you should see what everyone else did! Cause the TT ladies are super rad and deserve lots of love! And I will be back with more good stuff tomorrow, cause I already have a swatch post scheduled.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Hi friends! Have you ever had a lemming for a polish? I know many nail aficionados have at least had one lemming. I, personally, have quite a few. What can I say, I love me some polish! Other than a few sold out forever, never to be seen unless on evil-bay types, I usually have lemmings for Indie polish that is out of stock. It's silly, but I have issues with instant gratification. If I see a polish that I really like and I am unable to get it, I tend to pine over it with lustful longing. That is how it was with Dashboard Dancing. Every time I went to purchase it, it was sold out. But I finally got a chance to buy it during the last restock. I totally set my alarm too!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Loaded Lacquer Dashboard Dancing over Zoya Cole

Dashboard Dancing is a glitter topper with turquoise, magenta and purple glitters in a clear base. OMG, you can see why I have been lemming this baby for a looooong time! oh, but the wait was sooo worth it! DD is hands down one of the prettiest glitters I have seen or used. The formula was perfection. This is one coat kids. One amazing coat of glitter awesomeness. It spread beautifully, covered flawlessly and looks amazing!! Magic in a bottle. Seriously.

(Macro)

After just two bottles, Loaded Lacquer is quickly becoming an Indie favorite. The quality and creativity in each polish blows so many others away and you just can't really compare! Not surprisingly, the Loaded Lacquer shop is out of stock again (save for a few), but Heather is great about restocks and letting everyone know when the next one is and what will be available. Be sure to follow Loaded Lacquer on FB and IG for all the details! And don't forget to set your alarms!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Hello everyone! Continuing with the summer nail art ideas, I have something a little different today! Most summer looks involve bright or neon colors, and while that is so much fun, it may not be for everyone. Instead of going with something bright, try using a funky pattern! Leopard print is as funky as it gets, in my opinion. I also added a fun little twist by doing a gradient with the leopard spots!

Used:

O.P.I. - Don't Bossa-Nova Me Around

O.P.I. - Hey Baby

O.P.I. - Funky Dunky

O.P.I. - Black Onyx

Dotting tools

I followed the leopard print technique form Chalkboard Nails that uses dotting tools to make the spots. I prefer this way as opposed to brushes because you can really customize the size of the spots depending on what sized dotting too you use. For this mani, I used smaller tipped dotters since I was using multiple colors and I wanted there to be enough room for all three. I also blended together Hey Baby and Funky Dunky to get the middle shade dots. Yay for custom blending!

I really love how it turned out. Leopard print is usually way out side of my comfort zone and I only started doing it recently. But I gotta admit, it can be fun to do once in a while! But I will forever be a bright color kind of gal!

What do you all prefer? Bright colors or funky prints or are you a fan on the more subdued looks?

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Hey friends! Hope you all are having a great week! We have been stuck at home all week due to my husband's car malfunctioning and needing to use my car for his commute to work. It hasn't been too bad, but the limit of our outings has been a bit tiresome. It has given me more time to swatch my way through the ridiculous pile of polish I have acquired from birthday spending/gifts.
Today I have my picks from the recent Zoya "Threedom" promo. Every so often, Zoya has a three free (just pay shipping) sale, and I usually use the opportunity to check a few Zoya's off my wish list. Cause the Zoya wish list is never ending!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Zoya Wendy (Tickled Summer 2014 collection)

Wendy is a bright, almost neon, pink coral cream. Apparently I am still in love with coral polishes because I just can't help myself when I see one! This color is probably my favorite for summertime. It is bright and fun and perfect for manis or pedis. The formula was good, a little more thick than what I am used to from Zoya, but easy to work with. This is two coats for total coverage followed up with KB Shimmer COT top coat.

Zoya Cole (Awaken Spring 2014 collection)

Cole is a soft peach cream. It is such a fun and unexpected shade. I am all over these bright pastel shades, especially the peachy toned ones, and this one is just perfect! The formula was standard Zoya cream. It was a little patchy, but evened out after three coats. I used KB Shimmer COT top coat for the swatch photos.

Zoya Bevin (True Spring 2012 collection)

Bevin is a dusty sage green cream. I just love dusty shades lately! This one is a great color too. Edgy yet sophisticated. The formula was consistent with Zoya creams, creamy and smooth. This is two easy coats followed up with KB Shimmer COT top coat.

The Zoya promos like this are always such great deals and I try to take advantage of them whenever there is one. I am never disappointed with the polishes either. Zoya has proven to be a strong mainstream brand with excellent products and always fantastic color pallets!

So did you guys grab any from the Threedom event? What were your picks?

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Hey guys and gals! Another Twinsie Tuesday post is upon us, this time the theme is Nature. I kinda wanted to go with a more unconventional look using this idea, something a little more abstract.

Used:

O.P.I. - Don't Bossa-Nova Me Around

O.P.I. - Funky Dunky

O.P.I. - Amazon...Amazoff

Bundle Monster plate BM 407

I went with the double stamping technique, using two different colors and stamping the image two separate times. This is the first time I have done it and I think it looks really cool!! I am even okay with the purple layer being slightly lopsided. It adds to the interest!

That's all from me today, I have a mountain of laundry calling my name, but be sure to check out the rest of the TT ladies!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Hey everyone! After a whirlwind of a weekend, including a last minute trip to San Antonio, I am back with some awesome Indie polish today! Pipedream Polish is among one of my favorites and the newest collection, "A Night In Vegas," is beyond amazing. Eleven new polishes, four glitters and seven neons, make up this fun summer collection. April did a pre-sale a few weeks ago, and naturally I grabbed a bottle. It has taken me for ever to get it watched and photographed, but this is one seriously stunning polish!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use.

Pipe Dream Polish Memory Loss

Memory Loss is a bright almost neon teal crelly with green and teal hex glitters. I loooove this polish so damn much. The color is perfect, as well as the slight transparency of the crelly base that makes the glitter look like it is floating. The formula was a little thick but not problematic. This is two medium thick coats topped off with two coats of KB Shimmer Clearly On Top. It is top coat hungry, so that extra coat is needed to help smooth it out.

(Macro)

This is the only one I picked up from the Night In Vegas collection, but after seeing all the ahhhhmazing swatches, I am determined to grab a few more!! I definitely see a neon rainbow gradient in my future!

As of right now, the entire collection is in stock on the Pipedream Polish website and April is really great about keeping things in stock as well. On occasion, a popular polish will sell out very fast, tho! So If Memory Loss or any of the other fantastic polishes from this collection strike your fancy, get it quick!

Please Note: Products shown were purchased by me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.Pipedream Polish is available on line. Products retail for $8.00 a piece.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Hey guys and gals! Another late post I am afraid. I'm still feeling sick from the stomach bug I had yesterday and have managed to do little to nothing productive today. Thankfully I had everything put together for this post and just needed to add the finishing touches before publishing it! This weekend, much to my surprise, I received some goodies from Rainbow Honey to review on the blog. The Summer Mixtape collection is being released in two days and I have three polishes to share with you guys. Plus a little bonus from Dee at the end of the post!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

Rainbow Honey Control

Control is a neon fuchsia with pink and purple fleck shimmer. It is the most ridiculously obnoxious bright pink ever and I frickin love it. So. Much. I am gonna wear this on my toes all summer long! The formula was slightly thicker and had some leveling issues, but smoothed out perfectly with a top coat. It does dry to a satiny finish as well, due to the neon pigment.

(Macro)

Rainbow Honey Work It Out

Work It Out is a dusty red toned coral crelly. This is such a unique shade, the dustyness just really puts it over the top. A certain mainstream brand that releases a ton of nearly identical reds every year should take note. While I don't have many reds in my stash (a grand total of four, I believe!) this polish is definitely a stand out. The formula is good, a little thin. I needed three coats for full coverage. It dries super glossy, but I finished it off with a top coat to seal it.

Rainbow Honey Elevate over Work It Out

Elevate is a glitter topper in a clear base full of various colors and shapes of glitter with a purple shimmer. The primary color is aqua with pink, green, yellow and white mixed in. It also has circle and triangle glitter shapes. There is a whole lot of stuff going on in this bottle! I really like the triangle glitters, I think they add a funky and unusual look to the glitter! The formula was good and easy to work with. I used the dab & spread method to apply because of the amount of glitter. I used one coat to get the amount of glitter coverage I desired.

(Macro)

There are nine more polishes in the collection and from what I have seen on IG, they look very cool. And as a super nice gift for the release of the collection, you can take 20% off your purchase! Use the code MIXTAPE20 on your next purchase (expires 8/31/14). The Summer Mixtape collection goes on sale July 18th!

Please Note: Products shown were provided by the company/creator for review purposes. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

The Summer Mixtape collection is available on line. Products retail for $10 a piece.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Hey friends! Another Tuesday is upon us, and that means it's a Twinsie post! My apologies for not having this up earlier in the day. I forgot to schedule it yesterday when I wrote it, and I have been curled up in bed all day fighting a nasty stomach bug! Not sure if it was food poisoning or a virus, I'm hoping it's not the latter, I don't want the hubby or girlie getting sick!

So this week's theme is "one stroke flowers," a painting technique that is popular among folk art that creates the look of gradient flower petals using two colors at the same time. My mom perfected this technique years ago, but on canvas as opposed to nails!

In all honesty, I'm not a huge fan of this look. Not to mention that it (almost) requires using acrylics to achieve it, and I prefer to use strictly polish for my nail art. But I did it, and while it's not my favorite, or my best, I am happy that I at least attempted it and didn't give up. Cause I really did not want to do it, lol!!!

Used:

KB Shimmer - A Touch Of Glass

O.P.I. - MBSW

KB Shimmer - Radiant Orchid

Small square nail art brush

I used polish for the flowers as opposed to acrylic paints, and I'm sure that was some of the problems I had with the petals. But not every post or attempt an be great, so here's to the failures!!

What do you think of one-stroke floral nail art? Are you a fan, or is this a look that you would pass on? While you're thinking about that, be sure to head on over to the rest of the Twinsie Tuesday bloggers and check out their attempts!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Hello friends, happy Thursday! I am trying to get myself back into the nail art groove and along with the Twinsie Tuesday posts, I have decided to add some summer nail art looks to the ol' blog. If you read my blog, you know that summer collections, glitters, and bright polishes are my absolute favorite, so why not do some fun nail art with it?!

Used:

O.P.I. - MBSW

Floss Gloss - Lean

Floss Gloss - Pony

Sally Hansen - Big Matte Top Coat

Blue painters tape

Make up sponge

I have wanted to do a peach/purple gradient for ever and also the cut out gradient. And then the matte top coat. UGH. It is so soft and glowy and perfect for summer. Can I just do this all the time? Would you guys get bored, lol?

Pro tip: using blue painters tape will give you cleaner lines than scotch tape, since it is made for painting!

I will have more summer time nail art in the coming weeks. So hopefully you guys will find some inspiration to decorate your digits this season!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Hello friends! It's Monday and things are finally getting back to normal. After a crazy three day weekend, filled with fireworks, a birthday party and colds (we all got sick late Saturday night, it was so not fun), I am back with a newer Indie polish to share!

Please Note: Products were provided by the company/creator for review purposes.

The 14 polishes in Life in Color were created because we absolutely love color and sometimes the colors we wanted to make just didn't fit into a collection. This was our chance to play and make things we've been thinking of for the past year, as well as allowing us to to play with different finishes we haven’t used before. Seeing as this was our chance to play with color, we decided to take this opportunity to give names to the polish that make us laugh while mixing in some that have personal meaning to us - Emerald & Ash

Emerald & Ash Magic Bananas

Who doesn’t like magic bananas!? We sure love them around here, especially when used as an exclamation! It’s a phrase used so much around here that we had to make this yellow and green all flakie polish that has a hint of gun metal flakies - you know...for those bruises that pop up on your bananas, no matter how magical they are. This can easily be a full coverage flakie in 2-3 coats, but you can always uses it as a topper if that tickles your fancy.

Magic Bananas is a chartreuse foil finish polish loaded with green, yellow and golden micro flakies and a smattering of gunmetal grey micro flakies. This is one of my favorite shades of green! The foil-like finish makes this incredibly sparkly and so pretty! The addition of the gunmetal flakies gives the polish an interesting, almost textured, look. Because it is comprised of micro flakies, the formula is thicker than a normal polish. It is not unmanageable, but some patience is required. I added a a couple of drops of thinner to mine and it applied much more smooth afterwards. I used 2 coats for full coverage and topped it off with KB Shimmer Clearly On Top.

(Macro)

Emerald & Ash Sunshower

Based in the idea of rainstorms when it’s still sunny out. Crazy little storms. A cloudy grey crelly that shows off a beautiful blue shimmer when in the sun. An added touch of rainbow flakies mimics the rain as the sun is hitting it. Perfect for a rainy mood that needs a little pick me up! Full coverage in two to three coats depending on application.

Sunshower is a cool toned grey crelly with a subtle blue shimmer and iridescent micro flakies scattered through out. I love grey polish, but more often than not, it gives me horrid lobster hands. I'm not sure if it is the shimmer or the flakies, but Sunshower is very wearable on me! I am a happy polish addict to have found a grey polish than I can wear!! I love the addition of the flakies. They peak out and sparkle adding just the right amount color. It is such a unique polish and I think it captures the idea of a sun shower just perfectly. Formula was really good, no dragging or streaking. 2 medium coats for full coverage.

Once upon a time we found an ottoman that had beautiful bright colors and it needed to come home with us. It also needed to be made into a polish. After many trials and errors it decided to be a fun, festive glitter topper. Because it said so. And so, Confusion with a K was born. A glitter topper full of neon pink, neon green, metallic navy blue, grey and white glitters of all sizes. It wants to go on top of ALL of your polishes and maybe even be sandwiched between them as well. You’re good to go with one to two coats, depending on how glitter-hungry you are.

Confusion With A K is a glitter topper filled with neon pink, neon green, dark blue, grey, black and white glitters in various shapes and sizes in a clear base. This is seriously a fun glitter mix! I love the unusual combination of glitters and the inspiration behind it just awesome. You can see a pic here posted to the Emerald & Ash instagram. The amount of glitter was perfect. This is one coat using the dab and spread method. No glitter fishing required.

(Macro)

This being my first experience with Emerald & Ash, I was very pleased with not only the creativity behind the polishes, but the products themselves. This is definitely not a boring polish brand! I really love the concept behind the Life In Color collection, and all 14 colors look fantastic! I'm excited to see the rest of the collection swatched. Out of the three I received, Sunshower is an unexpected favorite, but all of them are so great that I don't think I could choose just one.

Emerald & Ash also carries a line of scented cuticle oils loaded with lots of skin friendly ingredients: Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, fractionated coconut oil, tea tree oil, vitamin A oil and vitamin E oil. The oil blend was created specifically to be very moisturizing, while absorbing quickly and not feeling greasy. Scents are blended into the cuticle oil upon order, which means they do not sit for prolonged periods of time before getting to the customer. The scent of the month for July is "Fresh Cut Grass" and it smells fantastic! I haven't tried the oil myself since I am particularly sensitive to most oils, but I gave it to my hubby for his "man Hands" and he really likes it.

The Life In Color collection pre-sale begins July 10, 9am MDT.

Please Note: Products were provided by the company/creator for review purposes. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Hey y'all! Happy Friday and 4th of July to my American pals! Today is a short and sweet post to share the festive skittle mani I did for the holiday. We are having a small cookout and then going to check out the fireworks show nearby. And then I am staying up late tonight getting ready for the girlie's birthday party tomorrow! Oof, I'm already exhausted and the day just started.

I had a few wraps left over from my original review (here) and decided it would be fun to use one as an accent nail. The Americano wraps are super cute and so sparkly! And they are on sale this weekend!

This mani literally took me less than 30 minutes to do both hands. And, yes, for once my right hand is painted too! Whenever I do nail art, I am only able to do it on my left hand, since I am not ambidextrous at all. Nail wraps are great for that reason alone!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Hey all! I have more KB Shimmer polish today! This time, it is one of the new creams that have been popping up in recent collections. The idea of indie creams is very appealing to me and I am really excited to see what other makers do with this.

I was actually gifted this polish by one of the TT girls, Anna from Going To The Showing, as part of our group birthday swap (my birthday is in a couple of weeks!). Thanks Anna, I love it!

Please Note: Products shown were gifted to me for my personal use.

KB Shimmer Radiant Orchid

Radiant Orchid is a red toned orchid purple cream/crelly, and spot on for Pantone's color of the year of the same name. I have a deep fondness for red toned purples and this color is just so dreamy! Formula was fantastic. Buttery smooth and opaque in two coats. And super shiny with out a top coat, tho I did use the KB Shimmer Clearly On Top for my swatch photos.

So what do you all think of creams coming to the indie market? Is this the next big thing of the polish world?

Please Note: Products shown were gifted to me for my personal use. All opinions are my own. For more info, please read my disclaimer.KB Shimmer nail polish is available on line. Products retail from $7.50 to $8.75 a piece.